Michael Flynn Makes Bid for Immunity Deal

(CN) – Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn is in talks with the House and Senate intelligence committees on an immunity deal that would shield him from what he says would be “unfair prosecution” if he talks about the Trump presidential campaign’s contacts with Russia.

Flynn’s attorney, Robert Kelner, said his client “certainly has a story to tell, and he very much wants to tell it, should the circumstances permit.”

Flynn has been a central figure in investigations by the House and Senate intelligence committees into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and what role, if any, Trump campaign officials may have played in it.

The FBI has been also been conducting an investigation since last summer into Russia’s interference in the election and possible coordination with Trump associates.

Kelner first revealed Flynn’s negotiations with the intelligent committees in a statement provided to The Wall Street Journal.

The revelation came nearly a week after President Donald Trump tweeted that Flynn “should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!”

Kelner noted that Flynn is a highly decorated 33-year veteran of the U.S. Army, and said notwithstanding Flynn’s life of national service, “the media are awash with unfounded allegations, outrageous claims of treason and vicious innuendo directed against him” and “He is now the target of unsubstantiated public demands by members of Congress and other political critics that he be criminally investigated.”

“No reasonable person, who has the benefit of advise from counsel, would submit to questioning in such a highly politicized, witch hunt environment without assurances against unfair prosecution,” Kelner said.

The attorney also described the talks as ongoing, but declined comment on the details.

An aide to the Senate Intelligence Committee confirmed to the Associated Press that Flynn’s representatives have discussed immunity with the committee; however, House intelligence committee spokesman Jack Langer told the news service Flynn has not offered to testify to the panel in exchange for immunity.

Flynn was fired from his job as Trump’s first national security adviser after it was disclosed that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about a conversation he had with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. during the transition.

In the weeks after he resigned, Flynn and his business registered with the Justice Department as foreign agents for $530,000 worth of lobbying work that could have benefited the Turkish government.